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HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acker Merrall & Condit, the world’s leading wine auctioneer and
America’s oldest fine wine merchant, continued the strong momentum of
its autumn season in its Hong Kong sale held on 9 & 10 November 2012 at
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. A total of HK$46.8
million/US$6 million was achieved in the two-day sale featuring
over 1,000 lots of some of the world’s most sought after wines. Domaine
de la Romanée-Conti dominated the weekend’s auction, accounting for nine
out of the sale’s top ten lots, and an astonishing thirty out of
thirty-six. The top two lots were a 12-bottle case of the 1988
Romanée-Conti selling for HK$1,033,200/US$132,462 and three bottles of
the exceedingly rare 2005 Romanée-Conti, which fetched
HK$541,200/US$69,385, establishing a new world auction record per bottle
of this wine.

John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit Companies,
commented after the sale: “Domaine de la Romanée-Conti asserted itself
this sale as the world’s most important producer, and the wine after
which the producer is named set an amazing six new world records for six
different vintages from the last decade. There was strong demand in
Burgundy overall, and we also saw considerable interest in the wines
from the Rhone, Germany and Italy. The market continues to diversify,
and the next two months will bring direct consignments and appearances
in Hong Kong from Gaja, Dujac and Roulot, along with two blockbuster
auctions, the likes of which we haven’t seen since 2011. We’re excited
to close out the Chinese calendar year in grand fashion!”

DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE-CONTI

Romanée-Conti once again dominated the top ten lots. The top price was
achieved by an extraordinary 12-bottle case of 1988 Romanée-Conti in
their original wooden case that fetched HK$1,033,200/US$132,462 (Lot 840,
illustrated right) after spirited bidding. Further Romanée-Conti
highlights included 6 bottles of 1993 (HK$541,200/US$69,385, Lot 843), 6
bottles of 1997 (HK$492,000/US$63,077, Lot 844), 6 bottles of 1989
(HK$442,800/US$56,769, Lot 841), 3 bottles of 1990 Romanée-Conti
(HK$418,200/US$53,615, Lot 842) and 3 bottles of 2009 Romanée-Conti
(HK$369,000/US$47,308, Lot 862). In addition, world records were set for
the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007 vintages.

Strong prices were commanded by the astonishing collection of Romanée
Conti led by 3 bottles of the highly coveted 2005 Romanée-Conti in
banded owc selling for HK$541,200/US$69,385 (Lot 735), surpassing the
high estimate of HK$400,000 and setting a world record price per bottle
of this wine. A 5-bottle lot of 1998 and 1999 Romanée-Conti fetched
HK$442,800/US$56,769 (Lot 727) while 3 bottles of 2002 Romanée-Conti
sold for HK$418,200/US$53,615 (Lot 731), a new world record.

Extremely rare double magnums of Screaming Eagle also sold from this
collection. A double magnum of 1993 (Lot 816) and another double magnum
of 1994 (Lot 817) achieved HK$118,080/US$15,138 each.

EXTRAORDINARY PARCEL FROM A DISTINGUISHED HONG KONG COLLECTOR

Featuring legendary wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, this unique
collection created great sensation in the sale. Important lots from this
eminent Hong Kong collector included 12 bottles of 1990 DRC Assortment
(HK$393,600/US$50,462, Lot 225, illustrated right), and 12 bottles of
2005 La Tâche in owc (HK$369,000/US$47,308, Lot 238).

Vinous treasures direct from Domaine Faiveley and Domaine Hubert Lignier
were specially presented in this sale, including mixed lots of Premier
Cru and Grand Cru wines in both standard and large format. Notable lots
of Domaine Faiveley included a 6-bottle vertical of Musigny from 2005 to
2010 (HK$108,240/US$13,877, Lot 339) and a 72-bottle Corton vertical
from 2005 to 2010 (HK$78,720/US$10,092, Lot 337).

Founded in 1820, Acker Merrall & Condit is America’s oldest fine wine
merchant and the world’s largest wine auction house. With affiliates in
New York, Chicago and Hong Kong, the companies hold more than fifteen
auctions a year, including Internet auctions. They are devoted to
helping their customers buy and sell the best wines, and also to sharing
with them the experience of enjoying wine. In recent years, the company
has greatly expanded its services to education, tastings and the
formation of wine clubs. Starting out as a family business, three
generations of the Kapon family have been dedicated to bringing the best
from the vine to their customers.